The first time I travelled to Knoxville, TN it was to meet with a possible first Kids Hope USA church in Knoxville. It was 2005 and at that point, there wasn’t a single Kids Hope USA program in the state. We were just hoping for one church that would step forward. And we found one! An […]
Reasons to Go South in the Winter Read More »
As recently as three years ago, the thought of having three Director Trainings in one month seemed out of the question. There simply wasn’t the need. Fast forward to today, where the training team has just wrapped up its third Director Training in one week! As recently as three years ago, the thought of having
My How You’ve Grown… Read More »
Top 3 reasons I love Ohio (No, this isn’t a bet I lost as a Michigan fan, to our friends to the south): 1. The Community Connection TV Show (Youngstown, OH). This Easter Sunday, a most remarkable message will be telecasted about the power of God’s love and hope to change lives. No, it won’t be from
“Yea Ohio!” was heard in Michigan?!? Read More »
I know, I know..one of the most boring titles imaginable right? (and yet reflects 90% of the status updates on Facebook I see. But that is fodder for another blog.) An hour ago I got a haircut. And as Stacey led me to my chair, I got the standard question 1 and 2: “Here on your lunch break?” “Where
“An hour ago I got a haircut.” Read More »
This past week I was reminded of the old saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Fortunately, it wasn’t trying to shovel snow off my driveway in Michigan that brought this to mind. I was in Fort Worth, TX at a special meeting convened by Mayor Betsy Price. Her purpose was to invite several
Eating an Elephant Read More »
Have you ever done a Google search on someone before meeting them? After hearing the words “In preparation for our meeting, I googled your name” from the head of a large school system, curiosity drove me immediately from the meeting to my computer. Here’s what I found: Drew Peirce the Special Effects genius. “Mastermind Drew Peirce and
“I googled your name.” Read More »
Yesterday was my 39th Birthday. I know, I know… “39 in the new 29” right? (Yea, let’s go with that.) And I found myself celebrating in the most unlikely of settings: a room full of brown and black belts. Now, before you mutter to your screen, “Why Drew, I didn’t know you were a master
Black Belts, Bruises, and Birthdays Read More »
My first time leading worship as a young seminarian I walked boldly up to the podium, cleared my throat, looked down at the liturgy, and confidently recited the words “In God there is no hope.” Oops. Yea, big oops. I have no idea where the “no” came from. No idea why it entered my mind or came
Oops. Yea, big oops. Read More »
As you might expect, here at KIDS HOPE USA we see many notes and letters from believers. Working with hundreds of churches nationwide mobilizing thousands of mentors and prayer partners, you’d expect to hear from a believer or two. But that’s not what I mean. We receive a remarkable number of messages from school personnel asking
Are you a believer? Read More »
As I write this, new Directors from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa are one floor below me at Director Training. It is a room overflowing with energy, laughter, and passion to see church members engaged in “I-believe-in-you” relationships with at-risk neighborhood children. It is simply beautiful. Two things strike me about this group. First, their diversity. Churches ranging
Covenants, Creeds, and Coffee Read More »
